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When will Jamaicans step up to the plate and stop looking to Governement to address our every need. Racers is badly in need of some pragmatic administrative visonaries who can generate and implemet a self sustaining and efficient operation. Jamaica's over-reliance on government continues. Bolt the ultimate marketing tool could not be used to lure local/overseas investors to build a proper training complex? My respect for MVP keeps bubbling and bubbling each passing day...
Mills calls for more Mondo tracks in Ja
BY KAYON RAYNOR, Senior staff reporter raynork@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
WITH both Mondo tracks situated at Independence Park Complex falling into a state of disrepair, Glen Mills, the coach of World 100 and 200 metres record holder Usain Bolt, is calling for at least a third synthetic track to be erected in the Corporate Area.
"Yes, it's time for us (Jamaica) to get even two more (Mondo) surfaces... at least one more in the Corporate Area for sure is desperately needed for training purposes," Mills told the Observer last Saturday.
"Those two (National Stadium tracks) surfaces are gone... they have been there for eight years or more and certainly nobody could ever say that we (Jamaica) have not gotten our money's worth out of them for what we have achieved, for the athletes who have brought us glory using them both at the junior level and the senior level," he added.
"The senior athletes need it desperately because they're competing against the best in the world and some of them (foreigners) have dream facilities... some ordinary universities and clubs have two and three (Mondo) tracks, so we definitely can use more tracks. I know the economic situation is there, but this is something that is a pressuring situation," noted Mills.
During the early part of the year, Sports Minister Olivia Grange, indicated that arrangements were being made to fix the worn-out track at Stadium East, which is used by both seniors and juniors to prepare for international competition.
When the Observer contacted Minister Grange for an update on the matter over the weekend, she said: "We are actively pursuing overseas parties regarding funding for re-laying the stadium east Mondo track."
The sports minister further revealed that it would cost approximately US$500,000 to carry out the work at Stadium East, according to estimates received.
"After the second week in October we will be able to say more about when work will start on re-laying the Stadium East track," said Grange.
Meanwhile, coach Mills remains hopeful that solutions will be found prior to the start of next season.
"It's unfortunate that when the time comes for repairs, it's difficult to find the money, but it has to be found because we are worried about the next season and hopefully the track will be ready by the time we are ready to do sprinting. I don't know how we will be able to do it without the (improved) surface," Mills said.
In addition to training, the Stadium East facility is also used to host development meets on the local track and field calendar, which usually begins in January each year.
Mills calls for more Mondo tracks in Ja
BY KAYON RAYNOR, Senior staff reporter raynork@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
WITH both Mondo tracks situated at Independence Park Complex falling into a state of disrepair, Glen Mills, the coach of World 100 and 200 metres record holder Usain Bolt, is calling for at least a third synthetic track to be erected in the Corporate Area.
"Yes, it's time for us (Jamaica) to get even two more (Mondo) surfaces... at least one more in the Corporate Area for sure is desperately needed for training purposes," Mills told the Observer last Saturday.
"Those two (National Stadium tracks) surfaces are gone... they have been there for eight years or more and certainly nobody could ever say that we (Jamaica) have not gotten our money's worth out of them for what we have achieved, for the athletes who have brought us glory using them both at the junior level and the senior level," he added.
"The senior athletes need it desperately because they're competing against the best in the world and some of them (foreigners) have dream facilities... some ordinary universities and clubs have two and three (Mondo) tracks, so we definitely can use more tracks. I know the economic situation is there, but this is something that is a pressuring situation," noted Mills.
During the early part of the year, Sports Minister Olivia Grange, indicated that arrangements were being made to fix the worn-out track at Stadium East, which is used by both seniors and juniors to prepare for international competition.
When the Observer contacted Minister Grange for an update on the matter over the weekend, she said: "We are actively pursuing overseas parties regarding funding for re-laying the stadium east Mondo track."
The sports minister further revealed that it would cost approximately US$500,000 to carry out the work at Stadium East, according to estimates received.
"After the second week in October we will be able to say more about when work will start on re-laying the Stadium East track," said Grange.
Meanwhile, coach Mills remains hopeful that solutions will be found prior to the start of next season.
"It's unfortunate that when the time comes for repairs, it's difficult to find the money, but it has to be found because we are worried about the next season and hopefully the track will be ready by the time we are ready to do sprinting. I don't know how we will be able to do it without the (improved) surface," Mills said.
In addition to training, the Stadium East facility is also used to host development meets on the local track and field calendar, which usually begins in January each year.
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